Product Description

Frame Size: 19" x 23"

"CZECH MATE"

A Russian Yak 11, Czech Mate is owned by John Moore, with Sherman Smoot serving as race pilot. This highly modified "Super Yak" racer includes a metalized fuse, race canopy & turtle deck, NACA oil cooler ducts, an R-2800 radial, and an oversized spinner & prop. At Reno 2002, at approximately 11:30AM - most everyone in attendance heard the sound dreaded by any race fan.... a runaway prop. Then looking up, we noticed a white stream of smoke emanating from our favorite Yak. The prop governor had gone south (failed), and the motor was sent free-spinning - causing the engine to rev (or over-speed) well above it's design limits. Pilot Sherman Smoot did an exceptional job bringing Czech Mate to rest on the main runway, and the aircraft was towed to her pits for the crew to make the post-mortem inspection. Sadly, the Smooter Scooter (as we often have affectionately called the little racer) seems to just be a hard-luck aircraft - but the team WILL turn that around, and soon! Reno '03 will mark "the year of the Yak" - as Sherman and race #86 Czech Mate finish 4th in the Gold Race at the unheard of speed of 445.6170mph!